Latest news with #WalpoleIsland
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walpole Island First Nation holds protest against Dresden landfill expansion
Fire keepers from Walpole Island First Nation watched over a sacred fire near the bank of the Sydenham River over the weekend as part of a series of events in response to a planned landfill expansion in Dresden — and Ontario legislation that appear designed to expedite it. Knowledge keepers from the community stood on the shore and sang a water song in Anishinaabemowin as more than a dozen canoes and kayaks glided down the river from Dresden to Wallaceburg, praying as they paddled. "The legal protections. They were there for a reason. I'm confused on why we're going backwards and why we're not protecting our homes like we used to," said Chloe White-Deleary, one of the paddlers. "It counts on humans, all of us, to be stewards of the land. And in my culture, we think about not just us, but like what are we doing to protect the next seven generations?" Waste management company York1, is proposing to expand the landfill site, located just over a kilometre from the edge of Dresden, to cover 25 hectares and receive 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste each day. A spokesperson told CBC in a statement in early June that it plans to use the site to turn clean wood into mulch, compost, and raw materials for particleboard and paper manufacturing; to turn mixed wood waste into alternative low-carbon fuels; and to prepare rock and rubble for use in cement and concrete production, aggregate replacement in construction, base for sports fields or running tracks and decorative use in landscaping. But the proposal has faced significant community opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about the impact on nearby bodies of water. And that opposition has grown since the Ford government introduced Bill 5, which became law on June 5 and which exempts "specified activities relating to the Chatham-Kent waste disposal site" from Part II.3 of the Environmental Assessment Act, which requires applications for projects under the section to be accompanied by environmental assessments. Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas told CBC Windsor Morning Tuesday she thinks the government's actions violate Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, which includes a duty to consult First Nations before making decisions that could impact their rights. It also violates the Treaty of Niagara and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, she said, which requires governments to seek free, prior and informed consent for developments on their lands. "Our family members use those waterways for hiking, fishing, harvesting and our ceremony," Thomas said. "And we have those treaty rights to protect our rights to fish, to hunt and harvest and practice our culture on our own ancestral lands and waterways." Nine First Nations are seeking an injunction to prevent government from using Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5 to fast-track infrastructure projects, arguing that both pieces of legislation authorize "the Crown to unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful or any engagement with First Nations" and "violate the constitutional obligation of the Crown to advance ... reconciliation." In response to a request for comment about the legal challenge, the office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it had begun "productive conversations with First Nations who share our vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their community, and will continue these consultations throughout the summer." "These consultations will shape the regulations and criteria for new special economic zones and Indigenous-led economic zones." Thomas said she is honoured to have so many community members, especially young ones, who are vocal about the impact of Bill 5. She is also grateful for generations of community members who have been dedicated to protecting the land and water and passing those teachings on to younger generations. The goal of the fire was to create a peaceful gathering where decisions affecting future generations could be made collectively with full understanding of the consequences, said Amy White, a councillor with the First Nation. White had a powerful experience at the fire when she saw three immature eagles circling overhead in a clockwise direction, she said. "I shared that with the elder who I get [advice] from," White said. "And what she had shared was that shows the connection between the next generation, and so how important … of a role they are going to play in this movement."
CBC
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Walpole Island First Nation holds protest against Dresden landfill expansion
Fire keepers from Walpole Island First Nation watched over a sacred fire near the bank of the Sydenham River over the weekend as part of a series of events in response to a planned landfill expansion in Dresden — and Ontario legislation that appear designed to expedite it. Knowledge keepers from the community stood on the shore and sang a water song in Anishinaabemowin as more than a dozen canoes and kayaks glided down the river from Dresden to Wallaceburg, praying as they paddled. "The legal protections. They were there for a reason. I'm confused on why we're going backwards and why we're not protecting our homes like we used to," said Chloe White-Deleary, one of the paddlers. "It counts on humans, all of us, to be stewards of the land. And in my culture, we think about not just us, but like what are we doing to protect the next seven generations?" Waste management company York1, is proposing to expand the landfill site, located just over a kilometre from the edge of Dresden, to cover 25 hectares and receive 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste each day. A spokesperson told CBC in a statement in early June that it plans to use the site to turn clean wood into mulch, compost, and raw materials for particleboard and paper manufacturing; to turn mixed wood waste into alternative low-carbon fuels; and to prepare rock and rubble for use in cement and concrete production, aggregate replacement in construction, base for sports fields or running tracks and decorative use in landscaping. But the proposal has faced significant community opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about the impact on nearby bodies of water. And that opposition has grown since the Ford government introduced Bill 5, which became law on June 5 and which exempts "specified activities relating to the Chatham-Kent waste disposal site" from Part II.3 of the Environmental Assessment Act, which requires applications for projects under the section to be accompanied by environmental assessments. Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas told CBC Windsor Morning Tuesday she thinks the government's actions violate Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, which includes a duty to consult First Nations before making decisions that could impact their rights. It also violates the Treaty of Niagara and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, she said, which requires governments to seek free, prior and informed consent for developments on their lands. "Our family members use those waterways for hiking, fishing, harvesting and our ceremony," Thomas said. "And we have those treaty rights to protect our rights to fish, to hunt and harvest and practice our culture on our own ancestral lands and waterways." Nine First Nations are seeking an injunction to prevent government from using Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5 to fast-track infrastructure projects, arguing that both pieces of legislation authorize "the Crown to unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful or any engagement with First Nations" and "violate the constitutional obligation of the Crown to advance ... reconciliation." In response to a request for comment about the legal challenge, the office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it had begun "productive conversations with First Nations who share our vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their community, and will continue these consultations throughout the summer." "These consultations will shape the regulations and criteria for new special economic zones and Indigenous-led economic zones." Thomas said she is honoured to have so many community members, especially young ones, who are vocal about the impact of Bill 5. She is also grateful for generations of community members who have been dedicated to protecting the land and water and passing those teachings on to younger generations. The goal of the fire was to create a peaceful gathering where decisions affecting future generations could be made collectively with full understanding of the consequences, said Amy White, a councillor with the First Nation. White had a powerful experience at the fire when she saw three immature eagles circling overhead in a clockwise direction, she said. "I shared that with the elder who I get [advice] from," White said.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Walpole Island First Nation boating collision sends four to hospital
Four people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a boating collision in Walpole Island First Nation. Multiple jurisdictions of emergency responders helped with the two-vessel incident on the Johnston River near Johnston Bay. The investigation is ongoing, but Lambton OPP said four people were helped to shore by nearby boaters and taken to hospital. The OPP is thanking everyone who helped those affected. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Lambton County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Walpole Island First Nation member wants special governance for off-reserve residents
Steven 'Talking Bear' Amaro is a member of Walpole Island First Nation who lives off-reserve. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor) A Walpole Island First Nation member wants there to be special governance for off-reserve residents. Steven 'Talking Bear' Amaro would like to see a special council created to represent the interests of members who don't live on the reserve. 'Imagine just having a one-party system with no voice?' Amaro questions. Like half of the 5,000 members of Walpole Island First Nation (WIFN), Amaro lives off the reserve. 'But that doesn't mean you aren't actively involved in what happens on the First Nation,' Amaro says. He is lobbying Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to use Section 17B of the Indian Act 'to open up another opposition party where you're guaranteed to have a voice.' In a statement to CTV News ISC rejects Amaro's effort. Walpole Island First Nation carries out its leadership selection under the provisions of the Indian Act (i.e., Sections 74-79) and the Indian Band Election Regulations (IBER). The Indian Act and the IBER do not provide a structure for creating political parties in First Nations elections. Therefore, any questions regarding political party creation fall outside the provisions of the Act and Regulations and should be directed to the First Nation. Section 17(b) of the Indian Act refers to the recognition of new bands under the Indian Act. It is not a pathway to the creation of a political party. Amaro is undeterred. He has asked Chiefs of Ontario to support him in his cause to create a new party for off-island members. It too has rejected his request, so Amaro is seeking a judicial review of that decision. 'I've been essentially just stifled at every which way,' Amaro said. Amaro has ran, unsuccessfully, in three consecutive elections to sit on WIFN Chief and Council and he says he is now barred from attending meetings. 'Since 2018, I've been denied services and I've only been allowed to attend Chief and Council four times. And the last time I was served with a cease and desist, that's four different administrations,' Amaro said. 'And I don't even know these people. So just because I'm asking questions that they don't like, I'm no longer allowed.' Amaro tells CTV News he has requested support, through WIFN, for a tourism business he wants to start but has been rejected. He feels like he was rejected because of his disputes with Chief and Council. WIFN Chief Leela Thomas responded to CTV News requests for an interview. Because of the cease-and-desist order against Amaro, Chief Thomas declined to answer any questions as the matter remains before the courts. The cease-and-desist order – which Amaro showed to CTV News – directs him to stop 'making any further untrue and damaging statements concerning any member of WIFN Chief and Council.' The letter, written in February 2023 by the law firm hired by WIFN, accuses Amaro of making false statements about the Chief and Council 'in an attempt to persuade them to become members of a new band you wish to form.'
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Residents, Ont. NDP leader rally against Dresden landfill
Residents continue to fight against a proposed Dresden landfill. CTV Windsor's Robert Lothian has an update. A community effort to keep a landfill out of Dresden was met with support on Thursday by the leader of the Ontario NDP. Marit Stiles backed the cause at a rally against the landfill and the provincial government's passing of Bill 5. 'This is a prime example of a government and a premier making another promise and commitment and breaking it,' Stiles told those at the rally in Dresden. Led by Stiles, a crowd of more than 100 people chanted 'kill Bill 5,' which paved the way for a long-dormant landfill to be revived without the need for an Environmental Assessment. 070325 Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles met with Dresden residents and stakeholders against the revival of the dump site. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) The Ford Government pushed through the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' at the tail end of the spring sitting. On Thursday, representatives from Walpole Island First Nation, the Kent Federation of Agriculture and PSAC spoke openly against the legislation. 'You are going about this in bad faith, and you are not proving to us that you are a trusted proponent,' said Leela Thomas, Chief of Walpole Island First Nation. York1 Environmental Solutions is seeking to revive an old landfill site on Irish School Road on the northern tip of Dresden, supposedly for a construction and demolition materials recycling facility. Rhonda Jubenville, the area representative for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent said they have had little correspondence with York1. 'They haven't applied for any zoning applications or anything, so we've heard zero, nil, nothing,' Jubenville said. In recent weeks, construction equipment was dropped off at the landfill site. Chatham-Kent has instructed by-law officers to monitor the site for any potential infractions. 070325 Chatham-Kent residents Wendy Lewis, left, and Dawn Ostler attended a rally in Dresden against a proposed landfill. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'I do worry for the people of Dresden and the surrounding area, along with the impact of the land and farms, the tributaries like the Sydenham and Molly's Creek and the air and all of the wildlife who call these places their home,' Jubenville noted. Absent from the crowd was Steve Pinsonneault, the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, who represents Dresden. Pinsonneault has previously spoken out against the proposed landfill on social media but has faced backlash for his frequent silence since the Ford government's reversal . He chose to abstain from voting on Bill 5 rather than casting a vote against it. 'Steve Pinsonneault, show up and do your job buddy, we're waiting,' yelled Stefan Premdas of Dresden C.A.R.E.D, standing beside Stiles. A spokesperson for the MPP's office told CTV News in an emailed statement Pinsonneault had funding announcements and scheduled committee meetings in London. 'While he was not able to be there in person, MPP Pinsonneault remains engaged with the concerns raised by the community and continues to monitor the situation closely,' said Michelle Dwyer, his executive assistant. While the legislation has passed, Stiles encouraged residents to continue their fight against the landfill until it is permanently stopped. '[Doug Ford] introduces a bill, he lies, he lies again, and then we build the public pressure, and he repeals the bill, so this is what we've got to do again,' Stiles said.
